better 1 of 4

as in more
to a greater or higher extent he knows property law better than anyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

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better

2 of 4

noun

better

3 of 4

verb

better

4 of 4

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word better distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of better are ameliorate, help, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care
immigrants hoping to better their lot

When might ameliorate be a better fit than better?

The synonyms ameliorate and better are sometimes interchangeable, but ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

When can help be used instead of better?

The words help and better can be used in similar contexts, but help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of better
Adverb
On Tuesday Biden touted increases in Border Patrol staffing and also increased fentanyl seizures at the border, which officials have said shows that apprehension is getting better. Adam Shaw, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2023 The White House, ahead of the speech, paired police reform with bringing down violence, suggesting that giving police better training tools could lead to less crime nationwide. Zeke Miller and, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Noun
In related news, Emma Foehringer Merchant wrote a fascinating story for Undark about researchers creating a repository of birds and bats killed at solar and wind farms, to better understand why they’re getting killed and how to prevent it. Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Last year, the office held listening sessions in Grove Hall, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain to better understand the needs of women and gender-expansive individuals. Tiana Woodard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Verb
According to Ayers, the following five public health measures could help curb addiction among sports betters: Use more of the taxes imposed on sports betting to pay for addiction services. Simon Spichak, Health, 1 Mar. 2025 The hook is still in play, and a lot of betters seem to be biting on it. Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
One explanation for this may be that competitive people angrily want to prove the critic wrong, as opposed to carefully trying to better themselves. Big Think, 13 Aug. 2025 The president and his allies have long argued there is little harm in holding a meeting or bettering relations with another country, and officials have made the case that this president takes a different approach to diplomacy. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adverb
  • Fire has moved out of the Black Rock drainage and is now in more accessible terrain for suppression efforts.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Continue reading to shop more luxurious Wayfair social media creator furniture and decor selections, up to 72 percent off.
    Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Another hallmark of a gaslighting superior is a memory that fails them at the most convenient moments.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Despite her male superiors’ desire to close the case and the resistance of a society where women have learned to hide themselves to ensure their safety, Noelle is determined to identify the body and uncover the truth.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • An August poll from Roanoke College found Spanberger with a 46%-39% lead, while the RealClearPolitics average of polls shows her with the same 7-point advantage.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The totemic power of Apple is running out of time to reset expectations around AI to its own advantage.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received nearly 860,000 reports of scams, with potential losses exceeding $16 billion.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The tax break phases out for individuals with earnings exceeding $75,000 and for married couples with earnings above $150,000.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Gallup recently surveyed Fortune 500 CHROs and found that only 2% strongly agree their performance management system inspires employees to improve.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • States can use their 2025 or 2026 figures for the first year of the change, meaning Kentucky still has time to improve its error rate.
    Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The oxygen and nitrogen molecules also emit ultraviolet light, which can only be detected by special cameras on satellites.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Adding just a few scalloped items can transform an everyday setting into something special and inviting.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • On the southwestern side of the fire, hand crews and dozers began building new containment lines along Sycamore Ridge Road to prevent the westward spread of the fire from the Dinkey Creek drainage and cut the fire off close to its active edge.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The base stores up to three tools, including a corner cleaner and an edge sweeper.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Charlotte posted five different drives of eight plays or more, three of which surpassed 60 yards on the drive.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The total of 823 munitions made the attack Russia's largest to date, surpassing the 741 munitions reported by the air force on July 9.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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